Weekend Open Thread: Flurry of Florida activity

Another weekend, another heaping helping of Florida Gators sports teams in action. Baseball returns home for a three-game series, softball wraps up play in a California tournament, men’s basketball has their regular-season finale, and gymnastics competes for a share of the first-ever Southeastern Conference regular-season gymnastics title.

Below you’ll find what is happening in Gator sports this weekend, as well as how to follow along.

Friday, March 3

Men’s Tennis
Florida vs. Texas A&M, 5:00 p.m. (Watch – FloridaGators.com, Stats): The No. 13 Gators open SEC play by hosting the Aggies. Florida has not defeated Texas A&M since 2013, when they won a close 4-3 match at home.

Women’s Tennis
Florida vs. LSU, 5:00 p.m.: The other team of tennis Gators also opens conference play this weekend. The undefeated and top-ranked two-time defending SEC-champs are on the road in Baton Rouge. Florida sports a 43-1 all-time record against the Tigers.

Softball
Florida vs. California, 5:30 p.m. (Watch - FloSports, Listen, Stats): The Gators’ second day of the Judi Garman Classic pits them against two Pac-12 teams from the Golden State, with the No. 23 Cal Bears first up on deck. Florida had a very successful first day of the tournament, with Delanie Gourley tossing a perfect game in an 8-0 win over Iowa, and Kelly Barnhill allowing one hit in a 17-0 demolition of Long Beach State.

Baseball
Florida vs. Columbia, 6:30 p.m. (SECNetwork+/WatchESPN, Listen, Stats): The Gators hope to regroup against the visiting Lions after being thrashed by UCF on Wednesday night. Florida has only faced Columbia once before. The Lions traveled to Gainesville for a single game in 2003, which Florida won 24-8 (!) after scoring 10 runs in the eighth inning. Alex Faedo should get the Friday start for the Gators.

Softball
Florida vs. UCLA, 10:30 p.m. (Watch – FloSports, Listen, Stats): Florida continues their appearance in the Judi Garman Classic with a game against No. 7 UCLA. These two teams met last season as well, in a game which resulted in a 2-1 Gators victory.

Saturday, March 4

Men’s basketball
Florida vs. Vanderbilt, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN/WatchESPN, Listen, Stats): The Gators hit the road for their regular-season finale against the Commodores. Florida has won ten of their last 11, dating back to their previous meeting with Vandy.

Softball
Florida vs. Northwestern, 3:00 p.m. (Watch – FloSports, Listen): The Gators end their Judi Garman Classic run with the Wildcats. Florida last played Northwestern in 2000 - a game which the Gators won, 5-4, in nine innings.

Baseball
Florida vs. Columbia, 4:00 p.m., (SECNetwork+/WatchESPN, Listen, Stats): The Gators’ weekend home series with the Lions continues. Brady Singer should be on the mound for Florida.

Sunday, March 5

Lacrosse
Florida vs. Towson, 12:00 p.m. (Watch – TowsonSportsNetwork, Stats): The No. 3 Gators are on the road against the No. 16 Tigers.

Women’s tennis
Florida vs. Texas A&M, 12:00 p.m.: The Gators travel to College Station for their second SEC game of the season - this time facing No. 20 Texas A&M.

Men’s tennis
Florida vs. LSU, 1:00 p.m. (Watch - FloridaGators.com, Stats): The Gators continue their foray into conference play by facing the Tigers at home. Florida faced LSU earlier this season, in the championship round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, where the Gators bested the Tigers, 4-0.

Baseball
Florida vs. Columbia, 1:00 p.m. (SEC Network+/WatchESPN, Listen, Stats): The Gators wrap up their weekend three-game series with the Lions. Jackson Kowar figures to be on deck for Florida.

Gymnastics
Florida vs. LSU, 3:30 p.m. (SEC Network/WatchESPN, Stats): The Gators have a rare Sunday meet this week. No. 3 Florida (5-1) heads to Baton Rouge for a meeting with the No. 2 Tigers (6-0), with a trophy on the line. For the first time, the SEC is awarding a regular-season gymnastics champion, which will be based on regular-season win-loss results. A LSU win or tie gives the Tigers the title, while a Florida win would split the honor between the Gators and LSU.

And here are your schedule tables for this weekend’s events: